The Ruddy Duck is a small, compact diving duck known for its bright blue bill and rust-colored breeding plumage. It has several nicknames that reflect its appearance and behavior. Some of the more common nicknames for the Ruddy Duck include “Brush Duck,” “Butterball,” “Stiff-Tail Duck,” and “Hell-diver.” In this article, we’ll explore the origins and meanings behind these nicknames for the Ruddy Duck. Understanding the nicknames given to this duck provides insight into its identifying features, habitat, diving behavior, and even its controversies.
What is a Ruddy Duck?
The Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) is a small, compact diving duck found primarily in North America. It belongs to the stiff-tailed duck group called Oxyurini which includes stifftails and bluebills. The Ruddy Duck is the only stiff-tailed duck native to North America.
Some key features of the Ruddy Duck include:
– Small size – They are only 14-19 inches long with a wingspan of 20-24 inches. Their compact size makes them one of North America’s smallest diving ducks.
– Thick, short neck – Their neck is thick and short which gives them a stocky profile.
– Bright blue bill – Male Ruddy Ducks have a bright sky blue bill during breeding season. The bill helps attract females and declare territory.
– Rusty red breeding plumage – Males take on a deep rusty, reddish-brown plumage during breeding season. Their cheeks and crown also turn a lighter tan color.
– Stiff tail feathers – Their short, stiff tail feathers are often cocked upright. This helps them maneuver better while diving.
– Habitat – During breeding season, Ruddy Ducks inhabit small ponds and marshes. In winter, they migrate to coastal bays, estuaries and lakes.
– Diet – Their diet consists mainly of aquatic invertebrates like insects, mollusks, and crustaceans. They also eat some aquatic plants.
– Diving ability – To forage, Ruddy Ducks dive to depths of up to 6 meters. They use their legs and feet to propel through water while diving.
– Breeding displays – Males perform elaborate courtship displays including foot-slapping, head-throwing, and bubbling sounds.
Nickname #1: Brush Duck
One of the more descriptive nicknames for the Ruddy Duck is the “Brush Duck.” This nickname refers to the Ruddy Duck’s preference for small ponds and marshed areas that are fringed by shrubs and brush.
During the breeding season, Ruddy Ducks seek out overgrown ponds and flooded areas that are surrounded by thick stands of brush and shrubs. This habitat provides cover and concealment for building nests and raising broods. The tangled branches help hide the Ruddy Duck’s nest which is built right on the ground amid brushy vegetation.
By nesting in concealed sites close to water, female Ruddy Ducks can protect their eggs and young while still allowing easy access to food sources. The tiny ducklings are able to follow their mother to water through openings in the brush shortly after hatching.
So the nickname “Brush Duck” captures the Ruddy Duck’s affinity for nesting and living in ponds tightly bordered by shrubs and brushy habitat. The dense brush ringing their preferred ponds gives this duck its nickname.
Nickname #2: Butterball
Another nickname occasionally used for the Ruddy Duck is “Butterball.” This nickname is in reference to the Ruddy Duck’s compact, rounded shape and thick, stocky profile.
In particular, the Ruddy Duck has a short, thick neck and a plump, rounded body. Their tail is also short and often sticks straight up which adds to their squat, compact appearance. When floating on the water, Ruddy Ducks resemble a butterball or roly-poly toy bobbing on the surface.
The Ruddy Duck’s stubby, compact body shape is an adaptation for diving and swimming under water. The stocky profile makes them extremely buoyant, helping them float high on the surface when resting. Their short, thick neck is more streamlined for diving than long-necked ducks.
So while the Ruddy Duck may not win any beauty contests, its stubby, rounded shape has clear benefits for its diving lifestyle. The nickname “Butterball” affectionately compares the duck’s appearance to a big stick of butter!
Nickname #3: Stiff-Tail Duck
The most common nickname for the Ruddy Duck is the “Stiff-Tail Duck.” This nickname refers to the Ruddy Duck’s unique stiff tail feathers which are often held upright.
Ruddy Ducks have short, wide, stiff tail feathers that help provide stability and maneuverability underwater. Unlike most ducks, Ruddy Ducks have inflexible tail feathers that are specialized for diving.
The stiffened tail feathers form a broad, wide surface area that allows the duck to change direction quickly when swimming and diving in search of food. The tail essentially serves as a rudder.
When floating on the surface, the Ruddy Duck often cocks its stiff tail feathers straight up into the air. This distinctive, cocked tail gives the duck its nickname of “Stiff-Tail.” The upright tail position also helps make the duck more compact and less visible when resting on the water.
During courtship displays, males will also hold their stiff tails high to attract females. So the Ruddy Duck’s unique, prominent tail both aids its diving ability and adds to its recognizable appearance, earning it the very fitting nickname of “Stiff-Tail Duck.”
Nickname #4: Hell-diver
The last common nickname for the Ruddy Duck is “Hell-diver.” Like many diving ducks, the Ruddy Duck earned this nickname thanks to its incredible diving behavior.
Ruddy Ducks frequent ponds and marshes up to 6 meters deep and dive to forage for food along muddy bottoms. They propel themselves underwater with their legs and feet in pursuit of aquatic insects, larvae, and vegetation.
These tiny ducks are able to stay fully submerged for up to 30 seconds before resurfacing. When diving, they descend rapidly like a feathered missile earning comparisons to the artillery shell called a “hell-diver.”
The Ruddy Duck’s compact, streamlined body and stiff tail are perfectly adapted for diving. They allow the duck to plunge deep and swim fast in pursuit of prey. When swimming under water, the duck seems to disappear suddenly as if “diving to hell.”
This prompted the nickname “Hell-diver” which captures the Ruddy Duck’s incredible diving abilities. They plunge into the depths fully and rapidly, just like the ammunition after which they are named.
Conclusion
The small but mighty Ruddy Duck goes by many nicknames including “Brush Duck,” “Butterball,” “Stiff-Tail Duck,” and “Hell-diver.” Each nickname highlights a distinctive physical trait or interesting behavior of this compact diving duck.
The “Brush Duck” moniker reflects their habitat preference for nesting near thick, brushy cover. “Butterball” affectionately compares their plump, rounded profile to a stick of butter. “Stiff-Tail Duck” refers to their unique, upright tail feathers specialized for diving. And “Hell-diver” echoes their ability to plunge and swim rapidly underwater in pursuit of prey.
So whether you know them as Brush Ducks, Butterballs, Stiff-Tails, or Hell-divers, the Ruddy Duck is a small duck with a big personality. Their many nicknames offer a glimpse into the lifestyle and abilities of this characterful waterfowl. The next time you encounter a fast, stiff-tailed little duck zipping headfirst into the depths, you’ll know it’s just a Ruddy Duck living up to its hell-diving name.
